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The Reading / Listening - Catalonia - Level 6

A general strike in Spain's region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police violence during Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national unity.

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political solution. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides.

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. CATALONIAN INDEPENDENCE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Catalonian independence. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

MY e-BOOK

5. STRIKE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "strike". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. INDEPENDENCE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things an independent country needs at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Before reading / listening

Over 1,000 people were injured by police in Catalonia on Sunday. T / F

Spain's king said the referendum organizers were outside the law. T / F

The Spanish king called for Spaniards to be united. T / F

Barcelona's mayor said Catalans deserved to have a referendum. T / F

Barcelona's mayor said there no democratic response is necessary. T / F

The mayor doesn't think Spain's prime minister should resign. T / F

Spain's president said he would mediate between the two sides. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

region

standstill

protest

injured

address

deserved

response

unrest

crisis

mediate

demonstrate

reply

hurt

negotiate

area

disorder

emergency

halt

had a right

speech

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

A general

Thousands of Catalans rallied and

a crackdown

a televised address

the situation in Catalonia was extremely

Catalan people deserved

we need a political

More unrest could be on the

Other regions could follow

help mediate between

the two sides

cards

serious

Catalonia's example

to have a vote

blocked roads

strike

to the nation

solution

against voters

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

televised
blocked
ordered
unity
region
situation
crackdown
condemned

A general strike in Spain's (1) ____________ of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and (2) ____________ roads to protest over Spanish police violence during Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a (3) ____________ against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and (4) ____________ the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has (5) ____________ the organizers of the referendum. In a (6) ____________ address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the (7) ____________ in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national (8) ____________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

response
plunge
resignation
between
deserved
follow
inclusive
cards

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people (9) ____________ to have a vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic (10) ____________. And we need a political solution. And we need an (11) ____________ solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the (12) ____________ of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be on the (13) ____________. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could (14) ____________ Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could (15) ____________ Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate (16) ____________ the two sides.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities ______
a. to a standard still
b. to a standing still
c. to a stood still
d. to a standstill

3) Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a ______ voters
a. cracked down against
b. cracker down against
c. cracks down against
d. crackdown against

4) The Spanish government declared that the referendum ______
a. was illegally
b. was illegal
c. was ill eagle
d. was ill eager

5) He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for ______
a. national disunity
b. national united
c. national unity
d. national unit tea

6) She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a ______
a. politically solution
b. political solutions
c. politically solutions
d. political solution

7) And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the ______
a. cries of millions
b. cried off millions
c. cries of million
d. cried of millions

8) More unrest could be ______
a. on the barbs
b. on the cards
c. on the shards
d. on the yards

9) plunge Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the ______ country
a. break-up of a
b. break-up of then
c. break-up of that
d. break-up of the

10) Spain's president has called on the international community to ______
a. help mediate
b. help meditates
c. help mediated
d. help meditate

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A (1) ___________________ Spain's region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities (2) ___________________. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police (3) ___________________ Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend (4) ___________________ against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of the referendum. In a televised (5) ___________________ nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called (6) ___________________.

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan (7) ___________________ have a vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need (8) ___________________. And we need an inclusive solution that listens (9) ___________________ millions of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could (10) ___________________. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional crisis and (11) ___________________ of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community (12) ___________________ between the two sides.

Comprehension questions

What kind of strike was there in Catalonia on Sunday?

How many Catalans blocked Barcelona's roads in a protest?

Who cracked down on voters and referendum staff?

Who condemned the organizers of the referendum?

What did the Spanish king call for?

What did Barcelona's mayor say Catalans deserved?

What kind of solution did Barcelona's mayor say was needed?

Who did Barcelona's mayor ask to resign over this situation?

What could a constitutional crisis risk breaking up?

Who did Spain's president ask to help mediate between the two sides?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of strike was there in Catalonia on Sunday?
a) a lightning strike
b) a general strike
c) a batting strike
d) a quick strike

10) Who did Spain's president ask to help mediate between the two sides?
a) the IMF
b) the international community
c) Spain's neighbours
d) the European Union

Role play

Role A – A National Anthem

You think a national anthem is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): UN acceptance, a strong economy or a strong army.

Role B – UN Acceptance

You think UN acceptance is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a national anthem, a strong economy or a strong army.

Role C – A Strong Economy

You think a strong economy is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): UN acceptance, a national anthem or a strong army.

Role D – A Strong Army

You think a strong army is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): UN acceptance, a strong economy or a national anthem.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

mayor

response

cries

cards

follow

sides

general

roads

900

staff

nation

unity

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Catalonia workers strike for independence

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?

What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'independence'?

What do you think of what's happening in Spain?

What do you know of the referendum violence?

Should Spain's government have stayed out of the referendum?

Should Catalonia be able to become independent?

Why do you think Spain is against Catalan independence?

What would happen if Catalonia became independent?

What advice do you have for Spain's government?

How unified is your country?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

What do you think of when you hear the word 'vote'?

What do you think about what you read?

What would happen if other Spanish regions wanted independence?

What advice do you have for Spain's mayor?

What damage could this situation do to the rest of Europe?

What is the likelihood of a civil war in Spain?

What advice do you have for Catalans?

How can the international community help?

What questions would you like to ask Catalans?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

A general strike in Spain's (1) ____ of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a (2) ____. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police violence (3) ____ Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown against voters and referendum (4) ____. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it (5) ____. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "(6) ____ serious" and called for national unity.

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote (7) ____ independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political (8) ____. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the (9) ____ of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could (10) ____ Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could (11) ____ Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help (12) ____ between the two sides.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) regions (b) legion (c) region (d) regional

(a) standstill (b) still (c) standby (d) standard

(a) during (b) while (c) among (d) despite

(a) staff (b) stiff (c) stuff (d) stiffs

(a) in (b) up (c) on (d) down

(a) extremes (b) extremely (c) extremity (d) extremely

(a) in (b) at (c) on (d) by

(a) solutions (b) solve (c) soluble (d) solution

(a) resignation (b) resigned (c) resigns (d) resign

(a) plague (b) plunge (c) plug (d) splurge

(a) follows (b) follow (c) following (d) followed

(a) mediate (b) medium (c) median (d) meditate

Spelling

Paragraph 1

to a iltntldass

in a aknwcdroc against voters

meocdendn the organizers

In a steedvile address to the nation

the situation in Catalonia was xemreytle serious

called for national niuty

Paragraph 2

Catalan people deeerdsv to have a vote

What we need is a democratic opsenrse

we need an cievsnliu solution

teiolcnrada of independence

ngpuel Spain into a further constitutional crisis

help meaidet between the two sides

Put the text back together

( ) The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote on

( ) the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national unity.

( 1 ) A general strike in Spain's region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a

( ) own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides.

( ) illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers

( ) crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's example and have their

( ) of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside

( ) during Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown

( ) independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political

( ) against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was

( ) solution. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions

( ) of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be

( ) on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional

Put the words in the right order

cities a of standstill Barcelona Brought and large to parts other .

a crackdown injured Nearly at 900 the people weekend were in .

illegal that the referendum was government declared Spain's .

put He themselves said outside they the had law .

in He Catalonia said was the extremely situation serious .

Catalan to vote The deserved a independence people have on .

of people A solution that listens to the cries of millions .

a could further plunge constitutional Spain crisis into It .

Other example Catalonia's follow could regions .

help to community international the on Called mediate .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A general strike in Spain's region / regional of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and another / other cities to a standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest above / over Spanish police violence during / while Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend on / in a crackdown against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declaration / declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it down / up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of / for the referendum. In a televised address to the nation / national, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extreme / extremely serious" and called for national unity.

The mayor / mayoral of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a voting / vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic / democratically response. And we need a political / politics solution. And we need an inclusive / included solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest / unrested could be on the cards. Any declaration of independently / independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further / farther constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's exampled / example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between / among the two sides.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a general strike in spain's region of catalonia on tuesday brought large parts of barcelona and other cities to a standstill thousands of catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over spanish police violence during sunday's independence referendum nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown against voters and referendum staff the spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it up spain's king felipe vi has condemned the organizers of the referendum in a televised address to the nation he said they had put themselves "outside the law" he said the situation in catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national unity

the mayor of barcelona told reporters that the catalan people deserved to have a vote on independence she said "what we need is a democratic response and we need a political solution and we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions of people" she also called for the resignation of spain's prime minister more unrest could be on the cards any declaration of independence by the catalans could plunge spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country other regions could follow catalonia's example and have their own referendum spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides